It’s fun to go to the YMCA Family Fun Fest

Kyle Domangue, Reaux Shambo, Souled Out, Southern Cross and Travis Matte will set the tone for an exciting fundraiser benefiting a well-known, local business – the James J. Buquet Jr. Bayouland YMCA.

Originally founded in June of 1984, the primary mission of the non-profit organization has been to “put Christian principles into practice through programs that builds a healthy spirit, mind and body for all,” according to the Bayouland YMCA website.

This November for the 4th consecutive year, the organization is sponsoring the Downtown Family Fun Fest and 5K Run to help raise funds to provide for local families, according to Mary Davis, marketing director for the Bayouland YMCA.

“This fundraiser basically goes to support families … that can’t afford for their kids to come to summer camp or after-school care programs or one-on-one water therapy classes for the disabled,” she explained.

Aside from membership fees and anonymous donations, the money raised at the two-day event is a key source of funding for the organization, said Davis.

“Because we don’t get any state or federal funding, this is our major fundraiser,” she continued.

Scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Family Fun Fest features copious amounts of delicious food, a delightful band lineup and a smorgasbord of family fun.

“We are going to have lots of food. We’ll have hamburgers, hot dogs, shrimp fettuccini, jambalaya, gumbo, sausage on a bun, charbroiled oysters, French fries, cheese sticks and more,” said the marketing director, who also mentioned that the Friends of the YMCA are volunteering their time to come help with the food.

A full belly goes great with a side of good music. The Saturday lineup is Kyle Domangue from noon to 2 p.m., Reaux Shambo from 3 to 7 p.m. and Souled Out from 8 p.m. until midnight. Southern Cross performs from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, while Travis Matte closes out the festival.

The children can enjoy a number of activities in the Kid’s Corner, where they will find inflatable bull riding, bounce houses, a bungee trampoline, a fish bowl game, cotton candy and more.

A 5K race is held on Saturday afternoon with the runners taking a route through the streets of downtown Houma. The Bayou Runners Association (BRASS) lends a huge hand in putting on the race, according to Davis.

“We are in partnership with BRASS who has helped a lot,” she said. “They help with so many things for the race.”

Other features of the Bayouland YMCA Family Fun Fest include craft vendors, a Sunday poker run and a new contest called the chicken drop.

“It’s almost like a football pool where you have a grid where they release a chicken and wherever he poops in the square the winner gets the money,” Davis exclaimed.

The location of the festival is in front of the courthouse in downtown Houma. Tickets are $3 for ages 11 and up and admission is free for children 10 and under.

Last year’s attendance reached upwards of 3000.

“We’d love to see even more than that this year,” said Davis.